Nonprofit organization PoWx has launched this week with the goal of boosting the idea behind proof of work (PoW) through more innovative algorithms. The company is seeking to decentralize Bitcoin mining and make it more accessible to consumers through a new technology that executives have dubbed “optical PoW” — a new type of hardware that utilizes a more advanced and energy-efficient form of laser technology as the cornerstone of mining.
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Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining is usually off limits to those who cannot afford the expensive mining computers and equipment. In addition, miners are usually stuck dealing with high energy bills and excessive consumption of electricity. It is estimated that approximately 0.15 percent[2] of the world’s energy is used to mine cryptocurrency.
This is where optical PoW comes into play. PoWx founder Michael Dubrovsky says the technology can alter Bitcoin’s current algorithm to make mining more decentralized and that the software’s advancements could make the mining arena “healthy enough and scalable enough.”
The idea for optical PoW arose last year. Dubrovsky says concern was growing that the mining space would eventually become more centralized. Dubrovsky and the PoWx team specifically point their fingers at Bitmain, the Chinese mining giant largely responsible for building and supplying most of the necessary equipment to power Bitcoin mining.
Speaking with Bitcoin Magazine, Bitcoin Core and Bitcoin Knots developer Luke Dashjr said he’s all for optical PoW and believes the mining scene as it stands could damage the future of cryptocurrency.
“Bitmain has compromised Bitcoin’s security, so changing to a new proof-of-work algorithm is necessary to secure the network again,” he commented. “One problem that enables mining centralization is that electricity costs are lower for large corporations than they are for ordinary users. Optical PoW claims
